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March 23, 2026/2 min read

Creating and Using Links in WordPress

Master WordPress linking for better user experience

Essential WordPress Skill

Proper link management is fundamental to creating engaging WordPress content that keeps visitors on your site while providing valuable external resources.

Pre-Link Setup Checklist

0/3

Link Settings

Managing external links effectively is crucial for maintaining user engagement and SEO performance. In this demonstration, I'm working with a link provided by our content editor—though in practice, you can easily capture any URL directly from your browser's address bar.

I'll apply this link to the word "Wikipedia" to show the complete process. Once the text is selected, you'll see the standard link configuration options appear. Since I already have the target URL ready, I'll paste it directly into the field. For those who prefer manual entry, clicking the edit option reveals the traditional URL input field where you can type or paste your destination link.

Here's a critical consideration: since external links redirect your visitors away from your site, strategic link configuration becomes essential for user experience. You want readers to access valuable external resources without losing them entirely from your content ecosystem.

My recommendation is to configure external links to open in new tabs—a practice that's become standard in 2026 for external references. This approach allows visitors to explore the linked Wikipedia source while keeping your original content accessible in the background tab. They can seamlessly return to continue reading without using browser navigation. Once these settings are configured, a simple update publishes the changes. The green confirmation bar indicates successful implementation.

WordPress Link Creation Process

1

Select Text

Highlight the word or phrase you want to turn into a link, such as selecting 'Wikipedia' as anchor text

2

Insert URL

Paste or type the destination URL into the link field that appears

3

Configure Settings

Choose whether to open in new tab and adjust other link parameters

4

Update Content

Save your changes and verify the link works as expected

Link Opening Behavior Options

FeatureSame TabNew Tab
User stays on siteNoYes
Navigation simplicityHighMedium
Best for external linksNoYes
Preserves reading flowNoYes
Recommended: Use new tab for external links to maintain engagement with your original content

Opening Links in New Tabs

Pros
Visitors remain on your website
Easy to return to original content
Better for external reference links
Maintains user engagement with your site
Cons
Can clutter browser with multiple tabs
May confuse some users
Slightly more complex navigation
Link Management Best Practice

Always configure external links to open in new tabs to prevent visitors from leaving your site completely while still providing access to valuable reference materials.

Go Beyond WordPress

Mastering WordPress link management is just the beginning of your web development journey.

Curious about the coding behind WordPress? We offer the best coding bootcamps in NYC. Scheduling is flexible, so start your career growth today!

WordPress Development Pathways

Frontend WordPress Development

Learn HTML, CSS, and JavaScript to customize WordPress themes and create engaging user interfaces. Master responsive design and modern development practices.

Backend WordPress Development

Dive into PHP and database management to build custom plugins and advanced WordPress functionality. Understand server-side programming and security.

Full-Stack WordPress Solutions

Combine frontend and backend skills to create complete WordPress solutions. Build custom sites from scratch and integrate with external APIs.

Career Development Opportunity

Flexible scheduling allows you to learn coding skills while managing your current responsibilities, making career transition more accessible and practical.

WordPress to Coding Career Path

Weeks 1-2

Master WordPress Basics

Learn content management, linking, and basic customization

Months 1-3

Understand Web Technologies

Study HTML, CSS, and JavaScript fundamentals

Months 3-6

Learn Programming Languages

Focus on PHP for WordPress or other languages for broader development

Months 6-9

Build Portfolio Projects

Create real-world applications and WordPress customizations

Month 9+

Launch Development Career

Apply skills in freelance work or full-time development roles

Key Takeaways

1WordPress link creation involves selecting text, inserting URLs, and configuring display settings for optimal user experience
2Opening external links in new tabs keeps visitors on your website while providing access to reference materials
3The WordPress content editor provides multiple ways to add links, including copying URLs from browsers or using pre-provided links
4Proper link settings configuration is crucial for maintaining user engagement and site navigation flow
5Always update and test your links after creation to ensure they function correctly
6Link management is a fundamental WordPress skill that impacts both user experience and SEO performance
7WordPress skills can serve as a foundation for broader web development and coding career opportunities
8Flexible learning schedules make it possible to transition from content management to full development careers

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